'Threatening our democratic fabric': 600 lawyers write to CJI against 'vested interest group' trying to defame courts

The letter, shared by official sources, targeted a section of lawyers without naming them and alleged that they defend politicians by day and then try to influence judges through the media at night.

New Delhi: A group of lawyers has written to Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud against 'vested groups' about their 'direct attack' to 'pressurise' the judiciary, 'influence' the judicial process and 'defame' courts on the basis of frivolous logic and stale political agenda.

They expressed concern about the creation of false narratives of a supposed "better past" and "golden period of the courts", contrasting it with the happenings, in the present is being created.

"Their antics are vitiating the atmosphere of trust and harmony, which characterises the functioning of the judiciary. Their pressure tactics are most obvious in political cases, particularly those involving political figures accused of corruption. These tactics are damaging to our courts and threaten our democratic fabric", the letter alleged.

The letter has been signed over 100 lawyers including senior advocates Harish Salve, Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, SC Bar Association president Adish C Aggarwala, Pinky Anand and Swarupama Chaturvedi, Uday Holla.

They stated, "It's troubling to see some lawyers defend politicians by the day, and then try to influence judges through the media at night. Implying that the courts in the past were easier to influence shakes the public's trust in them."

"They have also concocted an entire theory of 'bench fixing' which is not just disrespectful and contemptuous it's an attack on the honour and dignity of our courts. At times, it also leads to slanderous attacks and insinuations on respected judges," the letter alleged.

It accused the group of having stooped to the level of comparing our courts to those of countries where there is no rule of law and accusing our judicial institutions of unfair practices.

"These aren't just criticisms; they are direct attacks meant to damage the public's trust in our judiciary and threaten the fair application of our laws," it contended.

The letter also questioned the timing of their modus operandi, saying it also merited closer scrutiny- they do it at very strategic timings when the nation is all set to head to elections.

"We are reminded of similar antics in 2018-2019 when they took to their 'hit and run' activities, including fabricating wrong narratives," it said.

"These efforts to belittle and manipulate the courts for personal and political reasons cannot be allowed under any circumstances. We request the Supreme Court to stand strong and take steps to protect our courts from these attacks. Staying silent or doing nothing could accidentally give more power to those who mean to do harm. This is not the time to maintain dignified silence as such efforts are happening since few years and too frequently," it stated.